US20130174882A1

US20130174882A1 - Retractable cover for air conditioning unit

Info

Publication number: US20130174882A1
Application number: US13/374,689
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Dale Ellenbecker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-09
Filing date: 2012-01-09
Publication date: 2013-07-11

Abstract

A retractable air conditioner cover that universally fits multiple air conditioners that are different shapes and sizes, in which the cover retracts and extends to protect the air conditioning unit and fastens with fasteners.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Inapplicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Inapplicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to protective cover systems, and in particular to a retractable cover mounted to air conditioning unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Discussions of the prior art throughout the Specification is in no way to be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Split system air conditioners are widely used, consisting of an outdoor unit housing the compressor, condenser, fan, and control components. Air conditioners are not used in the off-season, and the open top grill/fan makes the cabinet components susceptible to damage from heavy objects, dust, snow, ice, dirt, leaves, hail, and the like. Prior art shows that covers have been created to wrap around, drape around, and completely house the air conditioning unit. Such covers must be removed and stored when the air conditioner is in use. They are moisture impervious and permit humidity, often resulting in rust. Furthermore, such covers create dry spaces for critters and pests. With annual season changes, such covers that are separate from the air conditioning unit inconveniently require storage when the air conditioner is in use, and installation when it is not. To avoid the hassle, people often just lay a piece of wood across, or wrap a garbage bag around the unit for off-season protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention's general purpose is to overcome the difficulties with prior art outdoor air conditioning unit covers by providing a convenient, retractable cover for the top of any air conditioning unit. The invention protects the top and inside components from damaging debris while leaving enough open area for air and moisture to move and pass through freely, protect, and not provide a safe habitat for critters.
Once mounted, the user pulls-out the cover over the top grate or fins for protection. When not needed, the user retracts the cover, and since the apparatus is mounted to the air conditioning unit, there is no storage needed. Using this apparatus is easy and convenient, partly because there is no chance of misplacing it between seasons. If the manufacturer so decides, the cover can also be removable and or built into the air conditioner housing.
It is the object of the invention to provide a convenient, durable device to eliminate moisture build—up and protect air conditioning units against the weather and other harmful debris such as dirt, leaves, sticks, hail, rocks, and the like when the unit is not in use.
These and other objects of the present invention, along with various features of novelty that characterize the invention, will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. Also, as air conditioner units vary in size and shape between the different manufacturers. Manufacturers may even design retractable sides as well; for the user who feels it is necessary to cover them but keeping the same benefits as just the top. Manufactures can also make the air conditioner units outer housing, house the cover to come straight from the factory and might even be electric, motorized, crank, spring, rubber band, push button, or anything alike retraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device as it is retracted on the air conditioning unit.

FIG. 2 is another side elevational view of the device as it is pulled out over the unit.

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the device retracted.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational perspective view of the device in use.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the device mounted on an alternate air conditioning unit retracted.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the device in use on an alternate air conditioner.


DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS

	(10) - Present invention retracted
	(12) - Present invention in use
	(14) - Exterior air conditioner unit
	(16) - Top outlet grill
	(18) - Horizontal fan blades
	(20) - Air inlet grill
	(22) - Circumferential heat exchanger coil
	(24) - Air conditioner pad
	(26) - Fasteners

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By way of disclosing a preferred embodiment, and not by way of limitation, there is shown in FIGS. 1 thru 6. The retractable air conditioner cover is designated generally as 10 and 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention 10 comprises a retractable air conditioner cover housing made of weather resistant material such as plastic, metal, vinyl, rubber, canvas or alike; which attaches to a conventional top discharge exterior air conditioner unit 14, which houses the compressor, condenser, and control components. The condenser has a top with a top outlet grill 16 and horizontal fan blades 18. Around the sides is a circumferential heat exchanger coil 22 protected by an air inlet grill 20. The exterior air conditioner unit rest on an air conditioner pad 24. However, the cover may also be configured to fit a cylindrical unit or other shapes as well be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in use 12, covering the top vulnerable area of the exterior air conditioner unit 14, and fastening to the opposite side of the retractable apparatus while leaving the air inlet grill 20 and circumferential heat exchange coil 22 open and free from possible damaging humidity.
In FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the present invention retracted 10 and mounted by any means such as magnets, screws, bolts, rivets, welds, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or alike. The top outlet grill 16 and horizontal fan blades 18 are free and open during use.
FIG. 4 transparently shows the present invention in use (12) covering the top outlet grill (16) and horizontal fan blades (18), while fastened to the air conditioner unit by magnets, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, screws, bolts, straps, ties, and hooks (26). Also, the cover may be configured and made out of rubber, plastic, metal, canvas, mesh type, stretchable, neoprene material, padded material.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the present invention retracted 10. In use 12, the present invention can be mounted in different directions to fit different styles, shapes, and sizes of exterior air conditioner units 14 protecting the top outlet grill 16 and horizontal fan blades 18 when needed in the air conditioners off seasons and illustrates convenience for the fasteners 26 and placement of the present invention retracted 10 during non-usage. While the exterior air conditioning unit 14 and everything housed with-in, sits on top of an air conditioner pad 24.
It is understood that the above described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall with-in the spirit and scope thereof

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of the retractable air conditioning unit cover of the present invention become evident.

- (a) Being retractable, it is convenient to operate for all users.
- (b) Once mounted, moving it to storage is unnecessary.
- (c) The cover eliminates moisture build-up and anything alike.
- (d) Protection from damaging elements, debris, and alike.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, & SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that, with the present invention, various embodiments can be used effectively and universally for various air conditioners of different shapes and sizes, while for convenient use by anybody, regardless of size, shape, or gender.
Furthermore, the present invention has the additional advantages, in that:

- It permits multiple uses for multiple shapes and sizes which will help control the extra cost for cleaning and or repairing of damaged air conditioner units.
- It permits extra convenience to each user by being mounted on the unit. The user can just retract or pull out for use.
- For the users who feel that it is necessary to cover the sides, retractable or foldout sides can be an option by keeping the same benefits.

Although the description above contains specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiment. For example: the retractor can be other shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. It can retract by any means such as motorized, electric, crank, spring, rubber bands, push button. The cover can be made out of different materials. The apparatus can be mounted in different locations on the air conditioners, not only being limited to the top. Also, many other different fasteners can be used to fasten the cover and the apparatus.
Thus the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claim and their legal equivalent, rather than by only the examples given.

Claims

The principles of this invention having been described in accordance with the foregoing, I claim:

1. A retractable air conditioner cover comprising:

a) A universal retractable housing made out of weather and debris resistant material such as plastic, metal, vinyl, rubber, and aluminum, which attaches to the top of;

b) The air conditioner unit by means of magnets, screws, welds, bolts, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, ties, rivets and alike where;

c) A cover made of rubber, plastic, metal, canvas, mesh-type, stretchable, neoprene material, and padded material extends from the retractable housing to cover the split system air conditioner top discharge exterior condenser unit resting on a base pad and wherein:

d) the fasteners on the cover, fasten to the top of the air conditioning unit by magnets, snaps, velcro, screws, bolts, straps, ties, and or hooks.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a) the universal retractable housing attaches;

b) to an the air conditioner; consisting of the

c) cover that retracts and extends; and

d) fastens to the top of the air conditioning unit with fasteners.